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Season 1 – The O.C.

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The O.C. 2003 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
This modern soap opera mines the intertwined lives of the Cohen, Cooper and Nichol families for drama, with a contemporary music soundtrack adding to the proceedings. Ryan, a teenager from the wrong side of the Chino tracks, finds himself in well-to-do Newport Beach -- an enclave of Southern California's Orange County. Taken in by a lawyer and his family, Ryan winds up in the midst of snarky, wealthy high schoolers and their sun-drenched angst.
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The O.C. — Season 1

The O.C. — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Even though it lacks an original take on teen angst, The O.C. functions well enough for its target audience, churning plenty of soap storylines out of a talented cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Geordie Gray The Australian Everything about this teenage soap opera is a cut above the rest – the creators were inspired by Ang Lee’s 1997 drama, The Ice Storm, and that moodiness courses through its otherwise sunny veins. Aug 17, 2023 Full Review Karen Heller Philadelphia Inquirer The O.C. is a refreshing treat with television's most eye-pleasing cast. Jul 7, 2023 Full Review Barry Garron The Hollywood Reporter Mostly it takes a paint-by-numbers approach to drama, laying out a predictable story in an unimaginative way, putting the greatest priority on filling the screen with chiseled faces and well-toned bodies. Sep 2, 2020 Full Review Mary Colgan PopMatters The O.C.'s primary appeal is its implausibility, which offers respite from the moral swamp of reality TV. It's okay for fictional characters to be ridiculous and tacky. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review David Zurawik Baltimore Sun Fox returns to teen drama with a remastered mix of the classics. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review Tom Jicha South Florida Sun-Sentinel There's nothing not to like about the people of The O.C. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brian D 81%. 2/1/25. Starts off a little weird as Ryan's settling in. He's so quick to fight everyone. Summer's character is super strange. It is fun how they just go to Newport parties every weekend. Like to see Kirsten/Sandy/Seth's bond grow with Ryan. The Theresa/Eddie stuff is kind of annoying. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/25 Full Review Gabriel P Eu estava muito desacostumado com séries mais longas, então nos últimos episódios eu estava com um pouco de "ressaca", mas nada que estragasse o todo. A história é boa, os personagens são incríveis e, apesar do roteiro ser bem clichê as vezes, acho importantes os temas que a série traz (saúde mental, gravidez, etc...), além do final ser muito simbólico. Sabendo que há mais temporadas, sei que haverá um desenrolar, mas se a série acabasse naquele ponto, seria um bom fechamento. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/27/24 Full Review green eyed r Best teen drama ever Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review Paula S La he visto como 10 veces y me sigue super encantando. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/07/23 Full Review Brian B Although released in 2003, I still think about how wholesome the stories were! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Started re-watching the show last month. It's fun but I forgot how annoying Marissa is. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The O.C. — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Aug 5, 2003 Pilot A troubled young man (Benjamin McKenzie) makes waves in a wealthy harbor-front community where the residents lead secret lives. Details Episode 2 Aired Aug 12, 2003 The Model Home Seth conspires to hide Ryan in a vacant house in an unfinished development. Details Episode 3 Aired Aug 19, 2003 The Gamble Sandy represents Ryan after his arrest for the model home fire; Ryan gives his mother a second chance to change her ways. Details Episode 4 Aired Aug 26, 2003 The Debut Ryan becomes a member of the Cohen family when Kirsten and Sandy take full legal responsibility for him. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 2, 2003 The Outsider Seth is eager to attend a party in Ryan's old neighborhood; Ryan finally works up the courage to ask Marissa out on a date. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 9, 2003 The Girlfriend Kirsten is dismayed when her father, Caleb, arrives at his birthday party with a girlfriend; Kirsten endures a barrage of criticism from Caleb; Marissa wavers in her feelings for Ryan and Luke. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 16, 2003 The Escape Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer drive to Tijuana, Mexico, where Marissa makes a potentially fatal decision; Sandy entertains a job offer; Jimmy draws Kirsten into a compromising position. Details Episode 8 Aired Oct 29, 2003 The Rescue Julie warns Ryan to stay away from her daughter; Kirsten disapproves of Sandy's friendship with his new co-worker, Rachel; the dean makes Ryan take a placement exam to determine his future at Harbor High School. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 5, 2003 The Heights Summer ignores Seth at school but wrestles with feelings of jealousy; Rachel offers Sandy a case against Kirsten's father; Ryan brawls with Luke over Marissa; Ryan and Marissa are stranded on a ferris wheel. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 12, 2003 The Perfect Couple Summer tries to deny her true feelings for Seth, while Anna and Seth are getting closer; the case against Caleb continues to cause friction between Sandy and Kirsten. Details Episode 11 Aired Nov 19, 2003 The Homecoming Julie is incensed when she finds out her daughter accompanied Ryan to the prison where his brother is incarcerated; the Cohens host Thanksgiving dinner. Details Episode 12 Aired Nov 26, 2003 The Secret Seth struggles to make up for the way he acted over the holidays; Ryan and Luke become partners for a history project. Details Episode 13 Aired Dec 3, 2003 The Best Chrismukkah Ever Seth combines Christmas and Hanukkah to form his own holiday; Ryan worries that the holidays will once again lead to family fights and drinking. Details Episode 14 Aired Dec 17, 2003 The Countdown As the midnight hour approaches, Ryan endeavors to reach Marissa in time for their first kiss of the new year. Details Episode 15 Aired Jan 7, 2004 The Third Wheel Seth finally chooses between Anna and Summer but does not know how to break the news; Ryan debates whether to help Oliver out of a sticky situation. Details Episode 16 Aired Jan 14, 2004 The Links Sandy and Jimmy decide to go into business together; Caleb shuts off Haley's cash flow, putting her out of business; Seth and Anna bond over being single. Details Episode 17 Aired Jan 21, 2004 The Rivals Sandy and Jimmy buy a restaurant; Julie irks Kirsten by becoming the new model-home designer at the Newport Group; Seth is jealous of Summer's new boyfriend; Ryan is out to expose Oliver. Details Episode 18 Aired Feb 11, 2004 The Truth Caleb wants Kirsten to get rid of Julie; Sandy and Kirsten tire of Ryan; Ryan and Luke agree to work together against Oliver; Marissa learns the truth about Oliver. Details Episode 19 Aired Feb 18, 2004 The Heartbreak Ryan's ex-girlfriend shows up to cater a dance and ruins his attempt to reconcile with Marissa; Seth and Summer decide to take their friendship to a new level; Jimmy has a secret admirer. Details Episode 20 Aired Feb 25, 2004 The Telenovela Marissa and Ryan try to start over as friends; Ryan discovers Theresa has lied; Seth tries to teach Summer a lesson; Sandy is in another mess created by Caleb; Jimmy is suspicious of Julie and Luke. Details Episode 21 Aired Mar 3, 2004 The Goodbye Girl Theresa's decision to remain in Newport pleases Ryan; Jimmy witnesses an intimate moment between Julie and Luke; Seth races to the airport to stop Anna from leaving for Pittsburgh. Details Episode 22 Aired Mar 24, 2004 The L.A. Sandy and Jimmy, caught in a bind, get help from an unlikely source; Marissa, Summer and Seth go looking for a good time in Los Angeles. Details Episode 23 Aired Mar 31, 2004 The Nana The Cohen family prepares for Sandy's mother (Linda Lavin) to visit for Passover dinner; Ryan looks for Marissa. Details Episode 24 Aired Apr 14, 2004 The Proposal After Luke gets into a near-fatal accident, Marissa and Ryan decide it is time to hear what he has to say; just prior to the Lighthouse's opening, Jimmy and Sandy find out their liquor license has been denied; Caleb proposes to Julie. Details Episode 25 Aired Apr 21, 2004 The Shower Marissa makes sure her mother's wedding shower is unforgettable; Teresa turns Ryan's world upside down; Seth gets a chance to meet Summer's father. Details Episode 26 Aired Apr 28, 2004 The Strip Seth and Ryan join Caleb in Las Vegas for his last days as a bachelor; Kirsten plans a bachelorette party for Julie; Marissa learns something about Teresa. Details Episode 27 Aired May 5, 2004 The Ties That Bind All of Newport turns out for the wedding of Caleb Nichol and Julie Cooper; Jem performs during the ceremony. Details
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Season Info

Executive Producer
Josh Schwartz, Doug Liman, McG, David Bartis, Robert DeLaurentiis
Network
Fox
Rating
TV-14 (D|S)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Aug 5, 2003